Adjustable hinge for butt-closing doors

ABSTRACT

A hinge assembly for adjustably mounting at least one door leaf to a face of a frame wall member. A first mounting means is mounted on the frame wall member and a second mounting means is mounted on the door leaf. The first mounting means includes a plate element, a hinge angular support bracket and a hinge pin bracket connected in series so as to provide adjustable movement between the frame wall member and the door leaf member in two distinct intersecting planes which are held in fixed angular relationship with each other. In one embodiment the adjustment planes are perpendicular to each other and one of the planes is held parallel to the surface of the frame wall member. Projections on the rear side of the mounting plate element are impressed into the surface of the frame wall member in order to rigidly position and hold the plate in fixed position. Elongated, mating serrations are included on the contiguous surfaces between the elements of the first mounting means. These serrations are provided to hold the surfaces in fixed relation so that they will not slip during usage. Retaining means are provided between the plate element and the angular bracket to prevent inadvertent separation or loss of parts.

United States Patent 1 Grunert [451 July 31, 1973 PrimaryExaminer-Francis K. Zugel Assistant Examiner-Doris L. TroutmanAttorneyNeil F. Markva ADJ USTABLE HINGE FOR BUTT-CLOSING lnventor:Hellmuth Grunert, Hausacker 29,

Hoffnungsthal, Germany Sept. 30, 1971 Appl. No.: 185,032

Foreign Application Priority Data Germany P 20 48 935.4

16/129 Kreiner [6/129 Wagner [57] ABSTRACT A hinge assembly foradjustably mounting at least one door leaf to a face of a frame wallmember. A first mounting means is mounted on the frame wall member and asecond mounting means is mounted on the door leaf. The first mountingmeans includes a plate element, a hinge angular support bracket and ahinge pin bracket connected in series so as to provide adjustablemovement between the frame wall member and the door leaf member in twodistinct intersecting planes which are held in fixed angularrelationship with each other. in one embodiment the adjustment planesare perpendicular to each other and one of the planes is held parallelto the surface of the frame wall member. Projections on the rear side ofthe mounting plate element are impressed into the surface of the framewall member in order to rigidly position and hold the plate in fixedposition. Elongated, mating serrations are included on the contiguoussurfaces between the elements of the first mounting means. Theseserrations are provided to hold the surfaces in fixed relation so thatthey will not slip during usage. Retaining means are provided betweenthe plate element and the angular bracket to prevent inadvertentseparation or loss of parts.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE HINGE FOR BUTT-CLOSING DOORSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to an adjustablehinge device for use with butt-closing doors in the manufacture offurniture and cabinets.

Hinge devices or assemblies which provide an invisible or concealedarrangement have been in use for many years in the prior art. Inaddition, many of these devices provide means for adjusting the door inindividual planes with respect to each mounting portion of the hingeassembly. In some cases, these devices would be satisfactory but not inthe use with a butt-closing type door. In this type of installation, theadjacent edges between the adjoining members must be aligned flush andaccurately to present a pleasing appearance. Thus, not only mustadjustments be made with respect to adja cent door members, but theindividual doors must be properly positioned with respect to themounting wall members.

In the prior art, where an adjustment had to be made with respect to thedepth or spacing between the door edge and the wall member, the hingemounting screws were reset to adjust this spacing. Thus, smalladjustment movements were prohibited and weak hinge attachments wereproduced due to the presence of the original screw holes. Some devicesprovided this depth or spacing adjustment by providing elongatedmounting holes in the hinge plate element but these have beenunsatisfactory due to the inability of the plate to be held securely ina non-slip fashion so as to preclude subsequent door misalignment.

In addition, the prior art devices have included only a singleadjustable plane capability for each half of a door hinge assembly, thusprecluding the possibility of a universal or three-dimensionaladjustment capability.

For the purpose of this specification, longitudinal or depth adjustmentis defined as lying in a plane parallel to the mounting surface of thewall member and generally on a line moving to or away from the doormember.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention includes a first hingemember or mounting means which is attached to the surface of a framewall member. The second hinge member or mounting means is attached tothe inside surface of a leaf or door member. The first and second hingemembers are pivotably coupled to each other to allow the door to beopened and rotated with respect to the frame wall member.

A feature of this invention is the inclusion of a link member which ispositioned intermediate the first and second hinge members by means ofpivotal attachment points on the respective members. A slot is providedin the door hinge member for the link attachment point to permit thedoor to open the desired angular distance. Thus, the door is preventedfrom opening an excessive amount which would cause damage to either thedoor member itself or the hinge device.

To eliminate the major deficiency inmost hinge devices of this type,adjustment means is provided in two distinct intersecting planes in onlythe first hinge member of the instant device. These planes are held infixed angular relationship. The first hinge member consists of amounting element or plate, an angular support bracket member and a hingepin element. These ele- The mounting plate is designed to fit into akeyed slot in the leg of the angular bracket. The key arrangement can beeither straight-sided or undercut to form a dovetailed arrangement toprovide a retaining means between the mounting plate and the bracket.With the straight-sided configuration, a rivet and slot can be used toretain the parts in slidable fashion.

In order to secure the mounting plate and the angular bracket member tothe wall member, at least one attaching hole is provided in the mountingplate and a slotted corresponding hole is provided in the angularbracket member. A wood screw or attaching fastener is provided to secureboth the bracket and the mounting plate to the wall membersimultaneously. It is desirable to retain the mounting plate or slideshoe fixed with respect to the frame while making an adjustment with theangular bracket. Thus, to provide a fixed reference surface forthe-adjustment, the side of the mounting plate which is contiguous tothe surface of the wall member is provided with projections which areembedded in the wall. member when the attaching screws are firstinstalled. Thus, the mounting plate or slide shoe is embedded andretained in fixed relation to the wall member. In one embodiment, theprojections are rings extending around the perimeter of the mountingholes.

Serrations or grooves extending transverse to thelongitudinal axis ofthe mounting plate and angular bracket can be provided on the matingsurfaces of these parts to provide 'a more rigid, non-slip attachment.It is desirable that the pitch of these grooves be identical between thetwo parts and sufficient to permit small increments of adjustmentbetween the leaf member and frame.

Other features of this invention will appear in the followingdescription and appended claims, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein likereference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF- SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Morespecifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the invisible hinge assembly ofthis invention includes a frame hinge member or mounting means 10 and adoor hinge member or mounting means 4. These members are pivotablyattached by hinge pin means 7.

The door hinge member 4 is located in a recess 5 provided in the door 6.Any fastening means desired can be used to retain the hinge member 4 inthe door recess 5. This recess and hinge arrangement provides thenecessary concealment to render the door hinge invisible.

In conjunction with this concealment feature and to prevent the hingemembers or door from being damaged, a link member 8 is intermediatelyattached between the frame hinge member and the door hinge member 4 inorder to provide a stop or retainer to limit the outward angular openingof the door member. The link member 8 is pivotably attached to the hingepin member 2 and the door hinge member 4 by means of an elongated slot9. The position and length of the slot 9 is designed to permit thedesired angular opening without damage to the hinge or door members.

The hinge frame member 10 is composed of the hinge pin element 2, anangular hinge bracket 10a and a mounting plate element or slide shoe 15.The hinge pin element 2 is sized to encompass the thickness of the framemember and the width of the leg 11 of the angular hinge bracket member10a. The hinge pin 7 is located in the outer portion of the hinge pinelement 2 while the rear face of the opposite end of the element 2 isadapted for slidable attachment to the face of the bracket leg 11. SeeFIGS. 1 and 2. A transverse slot 13 is provided in the bracket leg 11 topermit the hinge pin element to be adjusted by means of the attachingscrew 12.

Another plane of adjustment, which is important to this invention, isprovided where the angular hinge bracket member 10a is mounted to theframe member 3 by use of the mounting plate element or slide shoe 15. Inorder to provide a depth adjustment between the door member 6 and theframe member 3 a slidable adjustment means is provided between themounting plate 15 and angular hinge bracket 10a. A slot or key way 16 isprovided in the leg 14 of the angular hinge bracket 10a. The dimensionsof this slot 16 correspond to the dimensions of the mounting plate 15 toprovide minimum clearances but yet permit slidable movement with respectto the parts. In order to prevent the parts from being separated duringhandling, installation or during adjustment, the parts can be retainedin slidable fashion by use of a rivet or fastener 17 positioned in anelongated slot 18. Thus, the parts cannot be separated but are free tobe moved within the desired adjustment limits. In another embodiment ofthe slidable retaining means, the key way slot for the mounting plate 15is undercut and the elongated edges of the mounting plate 15 are shapedto conform to the angular edge, thus forming a dovetail arrangement. Thedovetail shape of the slot 16 in conjunction with a pin stop (not shown)arranged in the open end of the slot 16 prevents the parts from beingseparated. It is to be understood that any other type of retention meansdesired can be used with this invention.

The mounting plate 15 is provided with one or more mounting holes 19which is positioned to correspond with an elongated slot 21 provided inthe leg 14 of the angular bracket 10a. The elongated slot 21 is alignedwith the longitudinal axes of the mating elements 15, 10a and the wallmember 3. The angular hinge bracket 10a and the mounting plate 15 areattached to the wall frame member 3 by the use of screws 20. Projections22 are provided on the surface of the mounting plate 15 which isadjacent to the wall frame member 3. These projections, shown in thedrawings, can be a ring around the perimeter of the mounting hole 19 or,if desired, in the shape of pins or detents (not shown) spaced acrossthe surface of the plate 15.

On the first installation of the angular hinge bracket 10a and themounting plate 15, the projections 22 on the rear surface of themounting plate 15 are impressed into the surface of the frame member 3to securely hold the mounting plate 15 against movement with respect tothe frame member 3. Thus, precise and secure adjustments can be madewith respect to the mounting plate after the original installation. Thenecessity for repositioning the screws in the frame member 3 as isconventionally done is obviated.

Thus, as is evident from the description and drawings, the firstmounting means includes means for adjusting the position of the secondmounting means with respect to the member to which the first mountingmeans is attached. The adjusting means includes first means to shift theposition of the second mounting means in a first adjusting plane that isgenerally parallel to the surface of the member to which the firstmounting means is attached. The adjusting means also includes secondmeans to shift the position of the second mounting means in a secondadjusting plane that is disposed in a transverse direction with respectto the surface of the member to which the first mounting means isattached. Due to the configuration of the hinge frame member 10, theadjusting planes are in fixed angular relationship with respect to eachother. While the first and second mounting means are attached torespective members, they are formed separately with respect to eachother and connected by way of a pivot means.

If desired, in order to obtain a more rigid and secure attachmentbetween the hinge means elements, serrations or grooves transverse tothe adjustment direction can be provided on the mating surfaces. It isnecessary that these grooves be of a corresponding configuration and apitch sufficient to provide small incremental movement in the adjustmentdirection.

In operation, after the initial installation of the hinge assembly 1 ofthe present invention on the edge of the door or leaf member 6 and theframe member 3, adjustment of the door or leaf member 6 with respect tothe frame member 3 can easily be accomplished by loosening the mountingscrews 20 and slidably adjusting the angular hinge bracket 10a withrespect to the mounting plate 15. If further adjustment is required,this may be made with the additional adjustment means provided.Adjustment in a third place can be incorporated with one of thedescribed adjusting means or provided in the second hinge member, ifdesired. Thus, a truly universal adjusting hinge assembly can beprovided by the present invention.

While the adjustable hinge has been shown and described in detail, it isobvious that this invention is not to be considered as being limited tothe exact form disclosed, and that changes in detail and constructionmay be made therein within the scope of the invention, without departingfrom the spirit thereof.

Having thus disclosed and set forth the nature of this invention, whatis claimed is:

l. A hinge assembly for supporting two members in pivotal relationshipwith respect to each other, said assembly comprising a. a first mountingmeans attached to one of said members;

b. a second mounting means attached to said other members and beingseparate from the first mounting means;

c. a pivot means interconnecting said first and second mounting means sothat said members can pivot with respect to each other;

said first mounting means including means for adjusting the position ofthe second mounting means with respect to the member to which the firstmounting means is attached; and

e. said adjusting means including first means to shift the position ofthe second mounting means in a first adjusting plane that is generallyparallel to the surface of the member to which the first mounting meansis attached and second means to shift the position of the secondmounting means in a second adjusting plane that is disposed in atransverse direction with respect to the surface of the member to whichthe first mounting means is attached, said planes being in fixed angularrelationship with respect to each other.

2. A hinge assembly as defined by claim 1 wherein said second adjustingplane is generally perpendicular to both the first adjusting plane andthe member surface to which the first mounting means is attached.

3. A hinge assembly as defined by claim 1 wherein said first mountingmeans includes a plate element,

an angular bracket and a pivot element;

said plate element being disposed on the surface of the respectivemember;

said angular bracket includes a slot which is disposed over the plateelement for adjustable movement in said first adjusting plane; and

the pivot element being adjustably mounted on theangular bracket formovement in said second adjusting plane.

4. A hinge assembly as defined in "claim 3 wherein said first mountingmeans includes a single rivet means for fixedly holding the plateelement and bracket together on said respective member.

5. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said slot is formed asan undercut groove located in the surface of the bracket and the plateelement is shaped as a tongue to fit therein.

6. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said plate elementincludes projections which are embedded in the surface of said member toprevent shifting between said plate element and said memher.

7. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first mountingmeans includes a plate element, a pivot element and an angular brackethaving an oblong slot,

said plate element being disposed within said oblong slot for lateralsupport with respect to the direction of movement between the angularbracket and plate element.

8. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said plate elementincludes two projections which are embedded in the surface of saidmember to prevent shifting between said plate element and said memher,

said projections are hollow to allow screws to be used for fixing thefirst mounting means to said member.

9. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said oblong slot isundercut and the edges of the plate element are shaped to conform to theangular configuration of the oblong slot.

10. A hinge assembly for supporting two members in pivotal relationshipwith respect to each other, said assembly comprising: I

a. a first mounting means attached to one of said members;

b. a second mounting means attached to said other member and beingseparate from the first mounting means; A

c. a pivot means interconnecting said first and second mounting means sothat said members can pivot with respect to each other;

. said first mounting means including means for adjusting the positionof the second mounting means in a first plane of adjustment with respectto the member to which the first mounting means is attached; and

. said first mounting means includes a plate element,

and an angular bracket having an oblong slot whereby said angularbracket is adjustable in a second plane of adjustment;

f. said plate element beingdimensioned to slidably move within saidoblong slot and to obtain lateral support with respect to the directionof movement between the angular bracket and plate element.

11. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said first mountingmeans includes a single rivet means for fixedly holding the plateelement and bracket together on said respective member.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,748,689 I Dated July 31', 1973 Invento Grunert It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The name of the assignee has been omitted. Please insert at the properplace as follows:

Assignee: Prameta Prazisionsmetall-und Kuhststo-ff- I Erzeugnisse G.Baumann & Co. 1 'Hardtgenbuscher Kirchweg 111 5 "Cologne-Os'theimGermany Signedv and sealed this 5th day of March 197M-. 7

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD LE H JR. c. MARSHALL QDANN' V Attestlng Officer Commissioner ofPatents 1 FORM PC4050 (10-69) I Y USCOMM-DC scaneg U.5. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: l69 O-366 -33l x

1. A hinge assembly for supporting two members in pivotal relationshipwith respect to each other, said assembly comprising a. a first mountingmeans attached to one of said members; b. a second mounting meansattached to said other members and being separate from the firstmounting means; c. a pivot means interconnecting said first and secondmounting means so that said members can pivot with respect to eachother; d. said first mounting means including means for adjusting theposition of the second mounting means with respect to the member towhich the first mounting means is attached; and e. said adjusting meansincluding first means to shift the position of the second mounting meansin a first adjusting plane that is generally parallel to the surface ofthe member to which the first mounting means is attached and secondmeans to shift the position of the second mounting means in a secondadjusting plane that is disposed in a transverse direction with respectto the surface of the member to which the first mounting means isattached, said planes being in fixed angular relationship with respectto each other.
 2. A hinge assembly as defiNed by claim 1 wherein saidsecond adjusting plane is generally perpendicular to both the firstadjusting plane and the member surface to which the first mounting meansis attached.
 3. A hinge assembly as defined by claim 1 wherein saidfirst mounting means includes a plate element, an angular bracket and apivot element; said plate element being disposed on the surface of therespective member; said angular bracket includes a slot which isdisposed over the plate element for adjustable movement in said firstadjusting plane; and the pivot element being adjustably mounted on theangular bracket for movement in said second adjusting plane.
 4. A hingeassembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said first mounting meansincludes a single rivet means for fixedly holding the plate element andbracket together on said respective member.
 5. A hinge assembly asdefined in claim 3 wherein said slot is formed as an undercut groovelocated in the surface of the bracket and the plate element is shaped asa tongue to fit therein.
 6. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 3wherein said plate element includes projections which are embedded inthe surface of said member to prevent shifting between said plateelement and said member.
 7. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1wherein said first mounting means includes a plate element, a pivotelement and an angular bracket having an oblong slot, said plate elementbeing disposed within said oblong slot for lateral support with respectto the direction of movement between the angular bracket and plateelement.
 8. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said plateelement includes two projections which are embedded in the surface ofsaid member to prevent shifting between said plate element and saidmember, said projections are hollow to allow screws to be used forfixing the first mounting means to said member.
 9. A hinge assembly asdefined in claim 7 wherein said oblong slot is undercut and the edges ofthe plate element are shaped to conform to the angular configuration ofthe oblong slot.
 10. A hinge assembly for supporting two members inpivotal relationship with respect to each other, said assemblycomprising: a. a first mounting means attached to one of said members;b. a second mounting means attached to said other member and beingseparate from the first mounting means; c. a pivot means interconnectingsaid first and second mounting means so that said members can pivot withrespect to each other; d. said first mounting means including means foradjusting the position of the second mounting means in a first plane ofadjustment with respect to the member to which the first mounting meansis attached; and e. said first mounting means includes a plate element,and an angular bracket having an oblong slot whereby said angularbracket is adjustable in a second plane of adjustment; f. said plateelement being dimensioned to slidably move within said oblong slot andto obtain lateral support with respect to the direction of movementbetween the angular bracket and plate element.
 11. A hinge assembly asdefined in claim 10 wherein said first mounting means includes a singlerivet means for fixedly holding the plate element and bracket togetheron said respective member.